Process for preparing 3,4-polyisoprene rubber

Abstract

This invention reveals an initiator system which is comprised of (a) a lithium initiator, (b) a sodium alkoxide and (c) a polar modifier; wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.05:1 to about 3:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the polar modifier to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.25:1 to about 5:1. The subject invention also discloses a process for preparing 3,4-polyisoprene rubber which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer with a lithium initiator at a temperature which is within the range of about 30° C. to about 100° C. in the presence of a sodium alkoxide and a polar modifier, wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.05:1 to about 3:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the polar modifier to the lithium initiator is within the range of about 0.25:1 to about 5:1.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for preparing 3,4-polyisoprene rubber which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer with an organolithium initiator at a temperature which is within the range of about 30° C. to about 100° C. in the presence of a sodium alkoxide and a polar modifier, wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the organolithium initiator is within the range of about 0.05:1 to about 3:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium initiator is within the range of about 0.25: 1 to about 5:1. 
     
     
       2. A process as specified in claim 1 wherein the sodium alkoxide is of the formula NaOR, wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from about 2 to about 12 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       3. A process as specified in claim 2 wherein the organolithium initiator is present in an amount which is within the range of about 0.02 phm to about 1 phm. 
     
     
       4. A process as specified in claim 3 wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the organolithium initiator is within the range of about 0.15:1 to about 1:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium initiator is within the range of about 0.4:1 to about 3:1. 
     
     
       5. A process as specified in claim 4 wherein the sodium alkoxide is of the formula NaOR, wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from about 3 to about 8 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       6. A process as specified in claim 5 wherein said polar modifier is selected from the group consisting of diethyl ether, di-n-propyl ether, diisopropyl ether, di-n-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, trimethylamine, triethylamine, N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, N-methyl morpholine, N-ethyl morpholine, N-phenyl morpholine and alkyltetrahydrofurfuryl ethers. 
     
     
       7. A process as specified in claim 6 wherein the isoprene monomer is polymerized at a temperature which is within the range of about 40° C. to about 70° C. 
     
     
       8. A process as specified in claim 7 wherein the organolithium initiator is present in an amount which is within the range of about 0.03 phm to about 0.3 phm. 
     
     
       9. A process as specified in claim 8 wherein the molar ratio of the sodium alkoxide to the organolithium initiator is within the range of about 0.3:1 to about 0.5:1; and wherein the molar ratio of the polar modifier to the organolithium initiator is within the range of about 0.5:1 to about 2:1. 
     
     
       10. A process as specified in claim 9 wherein the sodium alkoxide is of the formula NaOR, wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       11. A process as specified in claim 10 wherein the organolithium initiator is present in an amount which is within the range of about 0.06 phm to about 0.2 phm. 
     
     
       12. A process as specified in claim 11 wherein the isoprene monomer is polymerized at a temperature which is within the range of about 50° C. to about 60° C. 
     
     
       13. A process as specified in claim 7 wherein the organolithium initiator is selected from the group consisting of ethyllithium, isopropyllithium, n-butyllithium, secondary-butyllithium, normal-hexyllithium, tertiary-octyllithium, phenyllithium, 2-napthyllithium, 4-butylphenyllithium, 4-phenylbutyllithium and cyclohexyllithium. 
     
     
       14. A process as specified in claim 13 wherein the sodium alkoxide is sodium t-pentoxide. 
     
     
       15. A process as specified in claim 14 wherein said polar modifier is N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl ethylenediamine. 
     
     
       16. A process as specified in claim 15 wherein the organolithium initiator is n-butyllithium.